What does unity in mission look like? A reconsideration of models in view of world Christianity

Abstract

From the Council of Nicaea, to the Synod on Synodality and the Fourth Lausanne Congress that took place almost seventeen hundred years later, Christians have agreed that Jesus Christ calls his disciples to unity and that Christian unity enhances Christian witness. However, the models of unity proposed vary considerably and so does the nature of the perceived benefit. Drawing on the study of world Christianity, this article examines selected ways in which Christians from various parts of the world, and in a number of contexts in history, have called for and demonstrated unity. It asks, first, “Who is calling for unity and to what end?” and second, “Who decides what unity looks like and what did Jesus have in mind?” It argues that some forms of unity may actually be detrimental to the church and undermine Christian witness, while other expressions of unity that are exclusive may make sense when understood within a particular context. It also questions whether church or mission structures should be thought of as the primary way of expressing unity and proposes that Christian togetherness across diversity may be a more authentic witness than a corporate approach to unity.